The Message
Lesson Two — Hope
In this cenacle lesson, we will discuss the theological virtue of hope.
Hope is the theological virtue by which we desire the kingdom of heaven and eternal life as our happiness, placing our trust in Christ's promises and relying not on our own strength but on the help of the grace of the Holy Spirit. Also, we must realize that we cannot achieve heaven by ourselves. We need God, and when God is missing, we lose hope.
Hope is vital and necessary, so the question is: Where can we best turn to find this great virtue. The answer lies in God's mercy.
God's mercy is unfathomable. We must cling to that fact in time of despair. Unfortunately, some do lose hope, as St. Faustina wrote in her Diary:
Jesus said to me, "I desire that you make an offering of yourself for sinners and especially for those souls who have lost hope in God's mercy" (308).
She did this, and as part of the offering wrote, "I hope against all hope in the ocean of Your mercy" (309). In another passage, she wrote, "I do not expect help from people, but place my trust in God. In His unfathomable mercy lies all my hope" (681).
Cenacle member Liliana discussed how her mother remained steadfast and prayed for more than 20 years, trying to set a good example and hoping her husband would become a Catholic. He eventually did, and he is now active in the Church and various ministries. She was a modern-day example of St. Monica, who prayed for more than 30 years for the conversion of St. Augustine.
Another reality is the Consecrated Host, which is our hope. We should frequently visit the Blessed Sacrament and develop an intimate relationship with our Lord. As Eucharistic Apostles, we want all to know Jesus and to better understand His Real Presence in the Eucharist.
EADM's logo is the Host with the rays of Blood and Water emanating from it. The logo calls to mind a vision of St. Faustina's:
That same day, when I was in church waiting for confession, I saw the same rays issuing from the monstrance and spreading throughout the church. This lasted all through the service. After the Benediction, [the rays shone out] to both sides and returned again to the monstrance. Their appearance was bright and transparent like crystal. I asked Jesus that He deign to light the fire of His love in all souls that were cold. Beneath these rays a heart will grow warm even if it were like a block of ice; even if it were hard as a rock, it will crumble into dust" (Diary, 370).
We must develop an intimacy with Jesus, the Eucharistic Lord, the hope for the future and for all mankind. So let us continue to trust in the Lord and maintain the attitude and virtue of hope, for hope that is not seen is not really hope.
Questions for Discussion:
The message of Divine Mercy is one of joy and hope. But it is hope in the Lord that is true hope! Let us always spread the message of God's love as it is a message that needs to be heard. People need to have hope, and only God can provide true and real hope. Saint Faustina placed all her hope in the Lord, and realized that amidst all life's trials, hope in the Lord is the answer.
1. How is hope contingent upon faith?
2. What should we place our hope and trust in?
3. What is the only thing that we really can place our trust in at the hour of death?
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